Bowling ball draw plug molds



March 9, 1965 J. CHETIRKO 3,172,163

BOWLING BALL DRAW PLUG MOLDS Filed May 25. 1962 BALL. mug FILLER INVENTOR.

' CL Av uWH V if/iT/ZXO Mama United States Patent 3,172,163 BOWLING BALL DRAW PLUG ll IGLDS John Clietirko, 4335 Union St, Flushing, N.Y. Filed May 25, 1962, Ser. No. 197,754 2 Claims. (Cl. 18--45) This invention generally relates to molding and particularly to devices for providing finger holes, grips or recesses in bowling balls.

As is well known, there are many and varied ways to put finger holes in bowling balls, both in new balls and for repairs to old balls. In almost all instances, present methods require a skilled technician with specialized machines or tools. Many people enjoy fixing things themselves, especially athletes who often want to provide a special finish or modification to the equipment they will use.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide means for bowlers to finish or repair their bowling balls.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for finishing or repairing bowling balls which does not require the services of a skilled technician.

Still another object of this invention is to provide improved and simple means for forming finger holes, grips or recesses in bowling balls.

These and other objects and advantages will be more fully understood by referring to the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a molding core of a device made in accordance with the invention,

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a modified molding core,

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 3, 7

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a back-out bolt that is used with the cores of FIGURES l to 4,

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of a device made in accordance with the invention that is operatively disposed, and

FIGURE 7 is a View similar to FIGURE 6 of a device made in accordance with the invention that is operatively disposed for use with a faulty filler.

Now referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2, a draw-plug or mold core 10 is an elongated body with an axial bore 11 that has threads 12 in one end thereof. The core 1th is for forming a two finger hole in a bowling ball that receives the bowlers third and fourth fingers. To this end, core 10 is of generally rectangular cross-sectional shape having substantially parallel elongated sides 13 connected at their ends by arcuate sides 14.

A bolt 15 is shown in FIGURE 5 and has a threaded shank 16 that is inserted into bore 11 and engages threads 12. A head 17 is formed at one end of the shank 16 to receive a tool (not shown) for rotating the bolt 15.

A modified form of draw-plug or mold core 20 is shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, and has an axial bore 21 with threads 22 at one end thereof that correspond to the core 11 and threads 12 of core 10. Core 20 is of generally circular cross-sectional form to form a single finger hole in a bowling ball.

FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate use of the modified core 20 for forming a hole. In FIGURE 6, a bowling ball 25 has an oversize hole 26 with fluid or semi-fluid filler 27 therein. Core 20 is placed into the filler 27 and located. The bolt 15 may be inserted into bore 21 to engage threads 22 either before insertion of plug 20 into filler 27 or when it is to be withdrawn. However,

if bolt 15 is left out, a soft mass such as putty or clay is inserted into the bottom end of bore 21 as a plug 28. The threads 22 may be at the top or bottom of bore 21, but it has been found preferable to have them at the bottom. When filler 27 is hard, bolt 15 is rotated to move axially against the bottom of the formed hole. At that point, axial movement of bolt 15 is stopped and the core 20 moves, and is thus withdrawn.

If the filler 27 is faulty and does not harden or has air pockets, the bolt 15 will thread its way into the filler. To draw plug requires a difierent approach. As shown in FIGURE 7, a collar or ring 30 encircles the core 20 and rests on the ball 25. A nut 32 is threaded on the bolt 15 and a washer 31 follows. The bolt 15 is then inserted through the ring 30 and into the bore 21. The shank 16 threadedly engages threads 22. Holding bolt 15 from rotating, nut 32 is threaded against the washer 31 and ring 30. Further rotation of nut 32 causes bolt 15 to move outwardly carrying the core 20 with it. When core 20 is removed, the faulty filler 29 is cleaned out of hole 26 and the process is repeated with new iller.

It will be further noted that all of the draw plug molds are each provided with a coating of parafiin 35 on the outer surfaces thereof, which of course permits easy withdrawal of said molds, and thereby provides the holes and recesses with a highly desirable finish.

While this invention has been described with particular reference to the construction shown in the drawing, it is to be understood that such is not to be construed as imparting limitations upon the invention, which is best defined by the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. Apparatus for forming a grip of predetermined size in a bowling ball having an oversize hole with filler therein, comprising a mold core having a body of predetermined size and shape adapted to be disposed in filler in a bowling ball, said core having a through bore with threads at one end, and a bolt disposed in the bore and engaging the threads, said bolt having a formed head to receive a tool for rotating the bolt adapted to bear against filler when hard to draw the core from hardened filler, and a soft mass disposed in the bottom of the bore to block entrance of soft filler upon insertion of the core.

2. Apparatus for forming a grip of predetermined size in a bowling ball having an oversize hole with filler therein, comprising a mold core having a body of predetermined size and shape adapted to be disposed in filler in a bowling ball, said core having a through bore with threads at one end, and a bolt disposed in the bore and engaging the threads, said bolt having a formed head to receive a tool for rotating the bolt adapted to bear against filler when hard to draw the core from hardened filler, a ring encircling the top of the core and adapted to engage the ball in which filler is disposed, a washer on the ring, the bolt passing through the washer and ring, and a nut threaded on the bolt adjacent the washer which is rotated against such washer when the bolt is held against rotation for moving the bolt axially and drawing the core from filler when such filler is faulty.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS ,1 Sharp Mar. 25, 1919 01 Albertson June 14, 1921 1 Rohaut et al Nov. 11, 1930 2,069,085 Day Jan. 26, 1937 

1. APPARATUS FOR FORMING A GRIP OF PREDETERMINED SIZE IN A BOWLING BALL HAVING AN OVERSIZE HOLE WITH FILTER THEREIN, COMPRISING A MOLD CORE HAVING A BODY OF PREDETERMINED SIZE AND SHAPE ADAPTED TO BE DISPOSED IN FILLER IN A BOWLING BALL, SAID CORE HAVING A THROUGH BORE WITH THREADS AT ONE END, AND A BOLT DISPOSED IN THE BORE AND ENGAGEMENT THE THREADS, AND BOLT HAVING A FORMED HEAD TO RECEIVE A TOOL FOR ROTATING THE BOLT ADAPTED TO BEAR AGAINST FILLER WHEN HARD TO DRAW THE CORE FROM HARDENED FILLER, AND A SOFT MASS DISPOSED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE BORE TO BLOCK ENTRANCE OF SOFT FILLER UPON INSERTION OF THE CORE. 